Complete Regional line-up announced
As the 2019 Regional Qualifying competitions approach the full line up of bands taking to the contest stage is announced. Audiences can expect to be treated to the very best in British brass band performances and some terrific repertoire: ‘Seascapes’ by Ray Steadman-Allen, ‘Symphony of Marches’by Gilbert Vinter, Darrol Barry’s ‘Rise of the Phoenix’, Herbert‘s arrangement of Holst’s ‘First Suite in Eb’and ‘Stantonbury Festival’ by Ray Steadman-Allen. A full list of competing bands along with synopses of each set work can be found below.
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION
SEASCAPES (RAY STEADMAN-ALLEN)
Seascapes was commissioned for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in 1988, and the work takes its inspiration from the poem 'Cargoes' by John Masefield.
In the first movement ("Allegretto"), a gentle lyric theme, set against a pulsating background is contrasted with a dance. The dance reaches its climax and the music concludes with a quiet theme.
The second movement ("In stilo di Sarabande") has something of the nature of a sarabande, with a central section, which is a little lighter but retains a Spanish flavour. The composer adds a whimsical thought of his own that there may also have been a party of monks aboard.
A variety of ingredients blend in the third movement ("Allegro"): the coaster engines, the sea, some jovial shanty-music and the storm element through which the coaster steadily chugs.
SECTION ONE
SYMPHONY OF MARCHES (GILBERT VINTER)
Composed in 1963, this is a work comprising three movements each exploring a different aspect of the “March” form. The bold first section ("Maestoso") is military in nature, and opens with a fanfare which is followed by two cantabile melodies - the second of which turns out to be a counter-melody to the first. The fanfare is then restated. After a sardonic development all three tunes are then played together.
The funereal second movement ("Grave") is full of despair and discord, and is perhaps Vinter's most advanced writing for brass - dealing at times not with melody and harmony but with pure sound, even more so than the infamous Spectrum. Out of this a lugubrious march starts up with a bright soprano melody high above which becomes the movement's climax before it fades away.
The playful last movement ("Brioso") reveals Vinter's impish sense of humour, introducing uneven metre to an already rocky march tune. The main tune is slowed down for a central euphonium solo before a fugue-like passage brings the march back on parade.
SECTION TWO
RISE OF THE PHOENIX (DARROL BARRY)
As the title suggests, the phoenix was a fabulous mythical bird, who every morning at dawn, sang a song so enchanting that even the sun God, Apollo, would stop and listen. The bird would live for a hundred years, and at the end of its life, would build a pyre, set it on fire and be consumed by the flames. After three days, the phoenix would be reborn from the ashes, to sing once more.
This work was commissioned by Clifton and Lightcliffe Band with funds from The National Lottery Commission. Darrol Barry's remit was to compose a test-piece standard work that would depict the highs and lows of the band throughout its history since its formation in 1838, and reflects the difficulties and rebirth of the band to make music once more. The music is dedicated to all the former players and conductors of Clifton & Lightcliffe Band.
SECTION THREE
FIRST SUITE IN EB (GUSTAV HOLST ARR. SYDNEY HERBERT)
The First Suite in E♭for Military Band, Op. 28, No. 1, by the British composer Gustav Holst is considered one of the cornerstone masterworks in the concert band repertoire. Officially premiered in 1920 at the Royal Military School of Music, the manuscript was originally completed in 1909. Along with the subsequent Second Suite in F for Military Band, written in 1911 and premiered in 1922, the First Suite convinced many other prominent composers that serious music could be written specifically for the combination of woodwinds, percussion and brass.
First Suite in E♭was later arranged for brass band by Sydney Herbert, and this arrangement has been used as a contest set test piece on numerous occasions. The work consists of three movements: "Chaconne", "Intermezzo" and "March" - the entire work is based on the Chaconne and is treated in many different ways throughout the movements -however, the tune is original to Holst.
SECTION FOUR
STANTONBURY FESTIVAL (RAY STEADMAN-ALLEN)
This work was commissioned by Milton Keynes Borough Council and first performed at the 1980 February Festival. A three-movement suite in the composer's approachable style. Though not difficult to play the whole band is fully employed throughout making both rehearsal and performance enjoyable.
The first movement ("Andante") begins with three fortissimo crotchets, almost a call to attention to the listener for what is about to come. Solo cornets then present an ostinato that will be heard through much of the movement. A central grazioso section provides a contrast to the material heard so far with small solo contributions from flugel, euphonium and trombone before the ostinato returns, along with the cantabile material from the opening section, to bring the movement to a close.
The second movement ("Moderato") opens with purpose, with trombones and euphoniums presenting a decisive march-like melody. This material is then presented in various different voicing's and styles before the movement closes in quiet, almost reflective mood.
A cascading paean of bells from cornets and glockenspiel opens the third movement ("Allegro"). It is a lively dance-like movement based on the traditional melody Strawberry Fair.NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS OF GREAT BRITAIN 2019
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
ENTERED BANDS
LONDON & SOUTHERN COUNTIES
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (12)
Aveley & Newham
East London
Friary Guildford
Haverhill Silver
Hitchin
Jersey Premier
Kidlington Concert
Redbridge
Regent
Thundersley
Wantage
Zone One
SECTION ONE (15)
Alder Valley
Amersham
Cawston
Chiltern Hills
City of Cambridge
East of England Co-Op
Egham
Fulham
Grimsdyke
Medway
Milton Keynes
Sandhurst Silver
Soham Comrades
Staines
Ware
SECTION TWO (18)
BAE Systems
Bedford Town
Castleton
Chinnor Silver
Colchester
Cold Ash
Epsom & Ewell Silver
Fairlop
Horsham Borough
LGB
Littleport
Oxford Cherwell
Saint Sebastian Wokingham
Tendring
Tilbury
Wantage Concert
Waterbeach
Yiewsley & West Drayton
SECTION THREE (15)
Bradwell Silver
Brigton & Hove City
Chichester City
City of Norwich
Crystal Palace
East Coast
Epping Forest
Godalming
Hangleton
Hungerford Town
Jubilee (Oxford)
Olney
Regent Community
Tadley Concert
Welwyn Garden City
SECTION FOUR (20)
Abbey
Amersham Community
Bletchington Silver
City of Oxford
Cotenham
Great Yarmouth
Hadstock Silver
Hemel Hempstead
Letchworth Garden City
Luton Youth
Norfolk Wherry
Pangbourne & District Silver
Patcham Silver
Royston Town
Simon Langton
Snowdown Colliery
Wantage Academy
Watford
Witney Town
Woodbridge Excelsior
MIDLANDS
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (12)
Blidworth Welfare
Derwent
Desford Colliery
Foresters
Hathern
Jaguar Landrover
Langley
Ratby Co-operative
Rushden Town
Spal Sovereign
Thoresby Colliery
Virtuosi GUS
SECTION ONE (16)
Bedworth
Bilton Silver (Rugby)
Burbage Buxton
Carlton
Enderby
Glossop Old
Harborough
Hucknall & Linby MC
Jackfield Elcock Reisen
Kibworth
Leicestershire Co-op
Newstead
Oddfellows
Shirebrook MW Unison
Shirley
Staffordshire
SECTION TWO (13)
Avonbank Evesham
Bakewell Silver
City of Coventry
Foss Dyke
Gresley Colliery
Ibstock Brick
Ireland Colliery Chesterfield
Market Rasen
Rolls Royce (Derby)
Shirland Welfare
Stourport on Severn
Tintwistle
Wigston
SECTION THREE (16)
Amington
Arrow Valley
Audley
Cleobury Mortimer
Corby Silver
Cubbington
Daventry
Long Eaton
Newhall
Pleasley Colliery Welfare
Raunds Temperance
Stamford
Syston
Towcester Studio
Trentham
Wellington (Telford)
SECTION FOUR (21)
Bestwood Welfare Black Diamonds
Bilton Silver (Evolution)
Brackley & District
City of Birmingham
Coventry Festival
Croft Silver
Dunchurch
Fairfield Buxton
Kirkby Colliery Welfare
Malvern Hills District
Matlock
Melton
Moulton 77
Newark Town
Ratby Co-operative Mid
Sherwood Forest
Shipston Town
Skegness
University of Warwick
Wem Jubilee
Whitwell
NORTH OF ENGLAND
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (9)
Easington Colliery
East Yorkshire Motor Services
Fishburn
Harrogate
NASUWT Riverside
Reg Vardy
Shepherd Building Group
York Railway Institute
Westoe
SECTION 1 (6)
Ashington Colliery
GT Group Peterlee
Houghton
J36
Kirkbymoorside Town
Ripon City
SECTION 2 (9)
Barton Community
Cockerton Prize Silver
Durham Miners' Association
Dunston Silver
East Riding of Yorkshire
Ferryhill Town
Felling
NASUWT Concert
North Skelton
SECTION THREE (8)
Bearpark and Esh Colliery
Billingham Silver
Cleethorpes
Ellington Colliery
Jayess Newbiggin
Knaresborough Silver
Swinton & District Excelsior
Trimdon Concert
SECTION FOUR (8)
Backworth Colliery
Burneside
Craghead Colliery
Lanchester
Marske
Penrith Town
Spennymoor Town
Tewit Silver
NORTH WEST
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (12)
Ashton-Under-Lyne
Fairey
Foden’s
Freckleton
Leyland
Milnrow
Oldham (Lees)
Pemberton Old Wigan DW
TCTC Group
VBS Poynton
Wardle Anderson
Wingates
SECTION 1 (16)
Blackburn & Darwen
Boarshurst Silver
Cheshire Constabulary
Crewe
Diggle
Eccles Borough
Flixton
Haslingden & Helmshore
Haydock
Longridge
Manx Concert
Middleton
Mossley
Rainford
Roberts Bakery
Silk
SECTION 2 (17)
Allerton
Besses Boys
Besses o’th’ Barn
Blackpool
Bollington
Delph
Eagley
Farnworth & Walkden
Formby
Greenfield
Hazel Grove
Marple
Old Hall
Pemberton Old Wigan DW “B”
Poulton-Le-Fylde
Rivington & Adlington
Tyldesley
SECTION 3 (18)
City of Chester
Darwen
Douglas Town
Eccleston
Golborne
Greenall’s
Hawk Green
Hoover Bolton
Littleborough
Lostock Hall Memorial
Parr St. Helens
Pilling Jubilee Silver
Stalybridge Old
Thornton Cleveleys
Trinity Girls
Uppermill
Valley Brass (Haydock)
Whitworth Vale & Healey
SECTION 4 (12)
Blackley
BMP (Europe Ltd) Goodshaw
Brindle
Cadishead Public
Dobcross Silver
Dobcross Youth
Ramsey Town
Red Admiral
Rode Hall Silver
Sale
Skelmersdale Prize
Stacksteads
SCOTLAND
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (10)
Bathgate
Bon Accord Silver
Bo'ness & Carriden Silver
Co-operative Funeralcare
Dalmellington
Dunaskin Doon
Johnstone
Kirkintilloch Kelvin
Newtongrange Silver
Whitburn
SECTION ONE (10)
Annan Town
Arbroath Instrumental
Campbeltown
Dalkeith & Monktonhall
Granite City
Kingdom Brass
Kirkintilloch
Newmilns & Galston
Tullis Russell
Unison Kinneil
SECTION TWO (11)
Broxburn & Livingston
Clackmannan
Coalburn Silver
Croy Silver
Jedforest Instrumental
Lochgelly
Newmains
Selkirk Silver
Shotts St. Patrick's
St. David's
St. Ronan's Silver
SECTION THREE (10)
Brass Sounds Inverclyde
Buckhaven & Methil
Dunfermline Town
Dysart Colliery
Highland
Irvine & Dreghorn
Langholm Town
Perthshire
Renfrew Burgh
WhItburn Heartlands
SECTION FOUR (12)
Barrhead Burgh
Bon Accord Silver 'B'
Callander
Dundee Instrumental
Forfar Instrumental
Hawick Saxhorn
Kilmarnock Concert
MacTaggart Scott
Newland Concert
Peebles Burgh
Penicuik Silver
Stranraer
WALES
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (7)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M1
Cory
Ebbw Valley
Llwydcoed
Northop Silver
Tongwynlais Temperance
Tredegar Town
SECTION ONE (11)
Abergavenny Borough
BTM
Burry Port Town
Deiniolen
Goodwick
Ifton Colliery
Lewis Merthyr
Markham & District
Pontardulais Town
Seindorf Llanrug
Tylorstown
SECTION TWO (8)
Abertillery Town
Ammanford Town Silver
Mid Rhondda (Thomas Coaches)
Newport Borough
Newtown Silver
Penclawdd
Royal Buckley Town
Seindorf Arian Crwbin
SECTION THREE (5)
Briton Ferry Silver
RAF St Athan Voluntary
Taff Vale
Usk
Ynyshir
SECTION FOUR (9)
Buckley
Crosskeys Silver
Cwmtawe
Gwaen Cae Gurwen
Holywell
Menai Bridge Porthaethwy
Northop
Seindorf Arian yr Oakeley
Seindorf Beaumaris
WEST OF ENGLAND
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (13)
Aldbourne
Bournemouth Concert
Camborne Town
Chalford
Filton Concert
Flowers
Hyde
Lanner & District Silver
Lydbrook
St Austell Town
St Dennis
Verwood Concert
Woodfalls
SECTION ONE (16)
A W Parker (Drybrook)
Andover Town
Bodmin Town
Brunel
City of Bristol
Forest of Dean
Glastonbury
Helston Town
Michelmersh Silver
Mount Charles
Otterbourne
Roche
Sherborne Town
Soundhouse
St Keverne
SW Comms
SECTION TWO (16)
Bream Silver
Camborne Junior Contesting
Cheltenham Silver
Cinderford
Corsham
Denmead
Downton
Hatherleigh Silver
Lydney Town
Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver
Phoenix (Crewkerne)
Shrewton Silver
Sidmouth Town
St Pinnock
Weston
Wotton-under-Edge & District
SECTION THREE (18)
Bath Spa
Bratton Silver
Bugle Silver
Gillingham Imperial Silver
Gosport Solent
Indian Queens
New Forest
Ocean
Pendeen Silver
Pillowell Silver
Poole Borough
Porthleven Town
South Molton Town
St Stythians
Swindon
Swindon Pegasus
Verwood Town
Weymouth Concert
SECTION FOUR (17)
Bideford Town
Chalford Academy
Exeter Railway
Great Western Youth
Illogan Sparnon Silver
Launceston Town
Nailsworth Silver
Okehampton Excelsior Silver
Redruth Town
Saltash Town
Shaftesbury Town Silver
Shanklin Town
Test Valley
Tewkesbury Town
Tiverton Town
Torbay
Wroughton Silver
YORKSHIRE
CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION (13)
Black Dyke
Brighouse and Rastrick
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
City of Bradford
Elland Silver
Grimethorpe Colliery
Hammonds Saltaire
Hepworth
Marsden Silver
Rothwell Temperance
Skelmanthorpe
Strata
Unite the Union
SECTION ONE (11)
Crofton Silver
Drighlington
Hatfield & Askern Colliery
Hebden Bridge
Knottingley Silver
Lindley
Old Silkstone
Prospect Brass Skelmanthorpe
Stannington
Wakefield Metroplitan
Yorkshire Imperial (Urquhart Travel)
SECTION TWO (10)
Barnsley
BD1
Chapeltown
Clifton & Lightcliffe
Dronfield Genquip
Hade Edge
Horbury Victoria
Meltham & Meltham Mills
Slaithwaite
South Yorkshire Police
SECTION THREE (12)
Armthorpe Elmfield
Clifton & Lightcliffe ‘B’
Deepcar
Dinnington
Emley
Gawthorpe ‘85’
Huddersfield & Ripponden
Kippax
Lofthouse 2000
Oughtibridge
Rockingham
Wetherby Silver
SECTION FOUR (8)
Barnsley Metropolitan
Dodworth Colliery M.W.
Friendly (Sowerby Bridge)
Garforth
Linthwaite
Loxley Silver
Maltby Miners
Thurcroft Welfare
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